Specialist in Nuclear Medicine; Nuclear physician.

A radiodiagnosis nuclear medicine technician is a doctor who uses the radioactive properties of certain substances for diagnostic applications (because of radiation's ability to make internal organs and biochemical processes visible) and to treat illnesses (because of the ability of intense radiation to kill cells).

These doctors use radioactive isotopes, nuclear radiation, electromagnetic variations of components of the atomic nucleus and related biophysical techniques for medical prevention, diagnosis, therapy and research. In addition, they know and study the biological phenomena that generate radioactive isotopes, the use of cyclotrons and nuclear reactors to produce radionucleidos for medical use, and the application of image reconstruction systems and data processing systems.

A radiodiagnosis nuclear medicine technician should have sound knowledge of various basic and applied sciences, such as physics, chemistry, electronics, cybernetics and pharmacy, and other branches of medicine, such as physiology, pathophysiology and radiology, to obtain information on the morphology and functioning of the organs of the body marked with radioisotopes.

• Establish the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures involved in the different areas of the speciality.
  Also carry out, interpret, apply and explain said procedure in the appropriate manner.
  Assess the cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit ratio when deciding to conduct one or various tests. Choose the safest, most sensitive, most specific and less costly one.
  
• Apply knowledge and techniques specific to the profession in different aspects of prevention: hygiene, prophylactic and preventive medicine and radiation protection.
  
• Participate in basic and applied research projects using radioactive isotopes and related techniques.
  Collect, order and convey data from examinations, following the appropriate method, to further scientific progress.
  Systematise necessary sources in order to regularly review data aquired from patients.
  Correctly apply basic statistics concepts and correlation techniques when assessing examinations, interpreting results and taking decisions.
  Refresh knowledge and skills using necessary sources.
  Promote scientific meetings and participate in them.
  
• Conduct diagnostic tests, obtaining morphofunctional information (structure and functioning of the human body) in healthy or ill patients.
  Administer radioactive tracers (substances which are added to organs and emit a small amount of radiation that gives essentially functional information).
  Choose the best radioactive tracer for each examination and establish the minimum dose required and the guidelines for administration.
  Detect radiation with suitable devices and transform it into an electrical signal can be analysed by computer and represented as an image.
  Analyse and interpret the image obtained, acquiring information on the arrival of the radiopharmaceutical to the organ, its distribution and its subsequent elimination.
  Properly inform patients and relatives about the characteristics of the procedure, its risks and the benefits justifying it.
  
• Use the principles of nuclear medicine to treat certain pathologies by administering radiopharmaceuticals to patients.
  Choose the best radiopharmaceuticals for each treatment and establish the administration guidelines and dose.
  Manage or control the administration of treatments.
  Actively participate in developing monitoring plans for patients.
  An expert in nuclear medicine also treats and prevents the biological effects caused by exposure to external ionising radiation.
  Properly inform patients and relatives about the characteristics of the treatment, its risks and the benefits justifying it.
  
• Know, use and control methods and systems (eg cyclotron) to generate artificial radionuclides in order to use them as radiopharmaceuticals.
  Develop procedures manuals for quality control of radiopharmaceuticals according to regulations established by the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Health Products (AGEMED) and by other European agencies.
  Establish a specific quality control plan for every radiopharmaceutical.
  Control the parameters necessary to ensure quality, radiochemical purity, particle size and number, etc. using analytical methods described in the European Pharmacopoeia.
  Make sure that quality plans include the maintenance and calibration of detection and measurement devices and equipment and the cleaning of material and the workspace.
  Regularly review protocols.
  
• Establish appropriate radiation protection and safety measures at work for each situation, according to current regulations and ensuring that people, facilities and the environment are protected against radioactive contamination.
  Develop standards for handling radionuclides in a solid, liquid or gaseous state.
  Develop procedures of storing, treating and disposing of radioactive waste.
  Establish protective measures for exposed staff, patients, communities and towns.
  Organise and implement emergency plans for possible accidents.
  Treat and monitor patients injured or potentially affected by the effect of ionising radiation, establishing measures for decontamination and removal of radioactive substances.
  Supervise, control and ensure the enforcement and follow-up of established regulations.

Regulated training and graduates

• Grau: Medicina

Complementary training

Other specific skills

Flexibility and change management: Level 2

Learning and use of knowledge: Level 3

Analytical thought: Level 3

Customer orientation: Level 1

Concern for order and quality: Level 3

Planning and organisation: Level 2

Scientific research

Individuals who have an affinity for the field of scientific research focus their interest on activities that study different types of organisms and substances in order to obtain valuable products for human beings. A key part of performing this task is the planning and verification of scientific hypotheses through the use of different research designs and techniques. The objective of these searches is the development of new medicines and medical techniques, technological innovation based on the manipulation of cells, molecules and biological agents, as well as the study of cultures in order to improve the characteristics and properties of plants and food.

Healthcare

Working to maintain and improve health, as well as physical and mental well-being, is the primary interest of people who are involved in the field of healthcare. Some of the activities in this field include making diagnoses, prescribing treatments and monitoring illnesses and injuries. These activities also include the application of therapeutic treatments (traditional or alternative) with a view to facilitating the physical recovery of those being treated. To carry out these activities, one must have in-depth knowledge of the human body and medicine, in its various specialisations.

Marine health expert

Occupational medicine specialist

Gene therapy expert

Neurobiologist

Drug development technician.

• Work hours

  They normally work full-time, with morning, afternoon or night shifts available Part-time work is also an option Must usually work duty shifts in addition to regular working hours.

• Salary

  Junior: between 24.446 and 39.155 euros annum gross. Median: 30.938 euros annum gross.
  Senior: between 46.214 and 62.738 euros annum gross. Median: 53.846 euros annum gross.
  
  Source: Report "Observatory of Jobs and Salaries of the Labour Market. Barcelona Activa", elaborated by ICSA Grupo. April 2015.
  

• Professional category

  Technician